"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg cover image

"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg

Latest episodes

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26 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 2min

E56: AI Agents are Coming; China’s Internet; Google Wants to Win

The conversation dives into the economic implications of AI, highlighting its potential J-curve effect—initially deflationary but possibly inflationary later. It scrutinizes the limits of passive investing and suggests a cyclical future with active trading. The evolution of the gambling industry hints at new social norms and self-regulation. Google's struggle between innovation and bureaucracy shines a light on its corporate challenges. Finally, discussions around tariffs reveal their complex impact on the American workforce and consumer dynamics.
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20 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 3min

E55: Futarchy, Elon, and Gut Decisions in Business

Dive into the intriguing tensions between technological change and government efficiency. Explore the complexities of gut decisions in business leadership, weighing instinct against strategy. Delve into the potential collaborations between tech titans like Elon Musk and Sam Altman as they shape the future of AI. Reflect on the emotional challenges traders face amidst political forecasting, especially concerning Trump's policies. Unravel the dynamics of market perceptions and how they influence company behaviors and media landscapes.
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22 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 58min

E54: How Bubbles Create The Future

Dive into the transformative impact of technological change on markets, focusing on how economic bubbles foster innovation. Discover Amazon's strategic use of bubbles to drive AI advancements while grappling with implementation challenges. The discussion spans the evolution of online businesses and the cyclical nature of tech market bubbles, reflecting on lessons from the dot-com era. It also examines the role of political polling errors in shaping market reactions and highlights the surprising value of middlemen in enhancing buyer-seller relationships in the digital age.
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13 snips
Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 1min

E53: Election Analysis, Heresy, and Real Estate

Dive into the intriguing world of evolving heretical ideas and their impact on politics. Discover the shifting dynamics within the American political landscape and the effects of social media on voter behavior. Explore the complexities of prediction markets and how real-time data influences election forecasts. Delve into the challenges posed by foreign investments in the U.S. housing market and viable solutions for affordability. Lastly, consider the potential of small social networks in the venture capital landscape.
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4 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h

E52: How Tech Journalism Works w/ Patrick McKenzie

Dive into the evolving world of tech journalism, where narratives shape perceptions of success and failure in Silicon Valley. Discover how media representations glamorize risk while failing to capture the harsh realities of entrepreneurship. Explore the pressures journalists face amid changing social dynamics and the shift towards a more adversarial stance. The conversation also debunks myths surrounding tech culture, highlighting the diverse experiences within the industry and the vital need for informed commentary on ethical issues.
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26 snips
Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 4min

E51: Venture Scale, Y Combinator, and Financial Bubbles

Dive into the mechanics of financial bubbles and their complex impacts on markets. Explore how innovation drives collaboration and fuels groundbreaking advancements, with historical examples like Amazon. Imagine a future where cryptocurrency transforms daily transactions and cross-border commerce. Unpack the concept of venture scale and its importance for startups while discussing alternative financing options. Finally, examine how prediction markets could forecast electoral outcomes and the often-hidden influences of major traders in today's geopolitical landscape.
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11 snips
Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 28min

E50: Freemium Apps, Restaurants, and Search with Patrick McKenzie

Explore the intriguing world of freemium apps and their monetization strategies, using gaming as a prime example. Delve into the evolving landscape of restaurant websites and how software accessibility has transformed the industry. Discover AI's role in gathering restaurant data and enhancing customer insights. Engage with the concept of humanized chatbots, pondering cognitive parallels with children. Finally, examine the waning quality of search engines like Google and how AI might reshape the future of information retrieval.
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18 snips
Oct 10, 2024 • 1h

E49: AI Art, Young Founders, and Disrupting Higher Education

Dive into the evolving landscape of careers, where practical experience trumps traditional education. Explore the challenges young entrepreneurs face in a world dominated by established companies. Delve into the implications of currency and power, particularly the U.S. dollar's role in the global economy. Rethink higher education's approach to critical thinking and job readiness. Lastly, uncover Spotify's strategies for staying ahead in the competitive streaming market and the intricate issues surrounding AI art and property rights.
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12 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 57min

E48: Facebook vs MySpace, Why Peter Thiel is Wrong About Competition, and OpenAI Corporate Structure

Dive into the rivalry between Facebook and MySpace, uncovering why Facebook triumphed with its focus on real-life connections. Discover how OpenAI is evolving its business model and the delicate balance between profit and nonprofit goals. Delve into the complexities of the Chinese bond market and its impact on economic growth. Finally, explore the implications of AI on jobs and revenue models, alongside critiques of corporate buybacks in today's financial landscape.
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8 snips
Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 2min

E47: Cult Stocks, Tech Media, and Technological Revolutions

Byrne Hobart, a cult stock expert, joins commentator Erik Torenberg to dive into the world of stocks like Tesla and Palantir, highlighting their cult-like followings. They tackle the more significant impacts of AI versus globalization on jobs and discuss the unexpected turn in the energy transition. The duo also critiques Forbes' shift in content strategy, emphasizing the balance between profitability and brand integrity. They wrap up by championing unique personal perspectives in media, urging listeners to value genuine insights over faceless reporting.

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